Meta confirms layoffs across Instagram, WhatsApp

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has once again begun laying off employees across various divisions, including WhatsApp, Instagram, and more. 

The layoffs were reported by The Verge.

The Verge report did not specify the exact number of job cuts but mentioned that they were small.

Some of the affected employees, such as Jane Manchun Wong, who was part of Meta’s Threads team and known for uncovering new app features, have openly shared their experiences of being laid off. Wong joined Meta in 2023 and was involved with developing its Threads platform.

Meta spokesperson Dave Arnold commented on the situation, explaining that these layoffs are part of the company's strategy to reorganise its resources to better align with its long-term goals.

"When a role is eliminated, we work hard to find other opportunities for impacted employees,” Arnold said.

Separately, the Financial Times reported that Meta fired another two dozen staff in Los Angeles for allegedly using their daily $25 meal credits to instead buy household items including acne pads, wine glasses and laundry detergent.

These terminations are separate from the team restructurings and took place last week, the FT report said.

It should be noted here that Meta has slashed around 21,000 jobs since November 2022 with CEO Mark Zuckerberg calling 2023 the “Year of Efficiency”.